No Nigerian footballer, including Super Eagles forward Victor Osimhen, has been nominated for the 2026 CAF Men’s Player of the Year award, following the release of the 10-man shortlist on Wednesday.
The nominees, unveiled by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on its official X account, include Senegalese star Sadio Mané, Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi and Ivory Coast’s Amad Diallo.
Seven other players from across the continent have also made the shortlist, with the winner expected to be announced at the 2026 CAF Awards ceremony scheduled for December 7 in Lagos.
Nigeria’s absence from the category marks a significant development, as no Nigerian player has featured among the nominees for several years.
The development comes after the Super Eagles failed to secure qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scheduled to take place in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Nigeria’s World Cup hopes ended in November 2025 after losing to the Democratic Republic of Congo in the African play-off final.
The encounter ended 1-1 after extra time before DR Congo secured a 4-3 victory in the penalty shootout.
Despite missing out on the global tournament, Nigeria finished third at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, which took place between December 21, 2025, and January 18, 2026.
The men’s shortlist was announced a day after reports emerged that no Super Falcons player had been nominated for the Women’s Player of the Year award. However, the Nigerian women’s national team secured a place on the shortlist for Women’s National Team of the Year.
Full List of 2026 CAF Men’s Player of the Year Nominees
- Amad Diallo (Ivory Coast)
- Yoane Wissa (DR Congo)
- Antoine Semenyo (Ghana)
- Ismael Saibari (Morocco)
- Achraf Hakimi (Morocco)
- Brahim Diaz (Morocco)
- Ismaila Sarr (Senegal)
- Pape Gueye (Senegal)
- Sadio Mané (Senegal)
- Teboho Mokoena (South Africa)
Other categories announced by CAF include Men’s Young Player of the Year, Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year, Men’s National Team of the Year, Men’s Club of the Year and Men’s Coach of the Year.
The 2026 CAF Awards ceremony will hold in Lagos on Monday, December 7.